PADDY McCarthy says he had no hesitation in agreeing to stay with the Eagles once new manager George Burley opened contract negotiations.

The Irish defender joined Crystal Palace from neighbours Charlton two years ago and has gone on to establish himself as a firm favourite with the club’s fans.

McCarthy still had a year of his previous contract to go but Burley was clearly keen to keep hold of the player, offering another deal which will keep the 27-year-old at Selhurst Park until 2013.

The new skipper had no hesitation in signing the contract last week and claims he wants to be part of a side which is destined for bright things after last season’s traumatic brush with administration.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my stay here over two years and wanted to extend it.

“The club wanted to extend it as well so it was nice to sit down to talk and extend my contract.

“I had a year left, so I’ve got three years left now.

“My family are settled in the area and I’m settled at the club and love playing here.

“It is a fantastic club with fantastic fans and obviously with this new consortium which has come in, it is going in the right direction and I want to be part of that.”

McCarthy added: “George is a really enthusiastic man.

“I think his track record is second to none in the Championship and he has had some international experience as well, which can only benefit us.

“He has been lively on the training pitch with Dougie Freedman and Dean Austin.

“It is obviously a new regime but all the lads are really responding to it and there has been quite a good buzz about the place.”

McCarthy admitted he was honoured to become Crystal Palace’s latest captain but was quick to point out his main priority was getting results.

“I enjoy leading the lads out on a match day but if I have the armband on or not, I’ll give exactly the same on the pitch every time I play,” he explained.

“It is obviously nice to be captain but if I’m not, I won’t get too disheartened about it.”

McCarthy was partnered for the first time by recent signing Adam Barrett during the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Chelsea and the skipper was impressed by the new boy.

He said: “He did very well today considering it was his him debut.

“Adam is a lovely fellow and is your typical honest centre half.

“He was great to play beside today and I’m sure if we are both selected we will play well together.

“There are a lot of changes from last year but pre-season is always just a case of getting your fitness right back and getting comfortable with each others presence on the pitch.

“But the lads the gaffer has brought in so far look to be top players and I’m sure they will take the club in the right direction.

“Obviously the manager is still in the process of putting together a team for the start of the season but the early indications are looking good.”

McCarthy has still to make his bow on the international stage but added representing Ireland was not his top priority.

He said: “ I’m 27 years of age now and haven’t had a cap yet. You just never know.

“My main concern is Crystal Palace and playing well for them.

“If I do enough out there on that pitch to get in the international side, then great.

“But if not, I’m happy enough playing here week in, week out.

“I met up with Ireland last September before I got injured and was in a squad to play South Africa but since then I haven’t really heard anything.

“Obviously with injuries and the situation the club was in, my sole focus was in keeping Palace up last year.

“We’ve done that and my sole focus now is Crystal Palace again and pushing on again into hopefully the play-off positions or even one of the two automatic promotion spots.

“That is my sole focus this year and as I’ve said, if I’m playing well enough and that ends up with me getting into the international squad, then great.

“If not, I’ll not get too disheartened about it.”

McCarthy’s claim Palace may challenge for a place in the Premiership after everything which happened in SE25 last year may sound optimistic but the man himself clearly thinks otherwise.

“Why not?” he responds when asked if he really does believe Crystal Palace can get back in the top flight for the first time since 2005.

“If you look at the last couple of seasons with the likes of Blackpool, it isn’t always the sides who are tipped to get promoted who do, so we’ve as much chance as anyone.”